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Soccer News of Thursday, 19 January 2023

Source: soccernet.ng

Official: Super Eagles hopeful nicknamed the 'New Okocha' quits England for Bundesliga 2

Nigerian winger Dapo Afolayan Nigerian winger Dapo Afolayan

The Super Eagles hopeful opens a new chapter in his career as he moves abroad in search of an adventure that will propel him into the big time

Nigerian winger Dapo Afolayan has become the new signing of St Pauli, the German Bundesliga 2 outfit announced this on their official website.

With the move, Afolayan ends his two-year stay at Bolton Wanderers, where he earned the nickname the 'new Okocha' for his silky skills on the ball likened in part to the club’s legendary Nigerian midfielder.

Born in England and raised in part in Canada, Afolayan has been at different times on the books of West Ham United, Oldham Athletic, Mansfield Town, Toronto FC, Barnet, Tooting & Mitcham United, Toronto Varsity Blues, Loughborough University and Solihull Moors.

The Super Eagles hopeful however moves to Germany for the first time in his career and at St. Pauli, he will team up with former Flying Eagles star Afeez Aremu.

It is a challenge the 25-year-old is convinced he is prepared for.

“I’m happy to play for St. Pauli from now on. I think the team’s style of play suits me,” Afolayan said.

“The talks with club officials also convinced me that the club attach great importance to developing their players.

“I’m looking forward to my new team, a new league, and the new challenge.”

AEK Larnaca send Nigerian striker Olatunji to Slovan Liberec

Three-time Czech champions FC Slovan Liberec have completed the signing of Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji on loan from Cypriot First Division club AEK Larnaca for the rest of the season.

Slovan Liberec manager Luboš Kozel is pleased with the acquisition of the 23-year-old, stating that he brings qualities to the team that had previously been lacking.

“Typologically, this is a striker who is tall, strong in the air, and in tackles. We do not have such a player in the team,” Kozel said.

“Maybe Michael Rabušic is slightly similar to him. We needed a striker after the departure of Mick van Buren and when Max Talovjerov left us, we also needed a player applicable to standard situations.

“He is a young player, so very promising for his age. We were interested in Victor already in the summer, but Larnaca did not let him go because they were playing in the Europa League group.

“When the opportunity arose to get him in this transfer window, we reached for him.”

Olatunji has previously played for Inter Bratislava, Podbrezova, SV Mattersburg, and Alki Oroklini.